2009 Season Preview: Chicago Cubs

Last year, the Cubs had hopes to end a century-long World Series drought after winning the NL Central by seven and a half games over the Brewers. Unfortunately for them, they were ousted in the divisional round against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

One of the Cubs’ major problems came in right field. Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome slumped big time in 2008 and manager Lou Piniella benched him on several occasions. In the off season, they signed outfielder Milton Bradley, the American League leader in OPS in 2008. Bradley is certainly an upgrade over Fukudome as he has more experience and power, but the problem with him is durability. Bradley has not played 142 games in a season in his eight year career. He played in 100 games in a season only three times.

The Cubs lost one of their franchise players in Kerry Wood during the off season to the Cleveland Indians. Wood has been with the Cubs since 1998 and recorded 34 saves last season. On the bright side, flame thrower Carlos Marmol can replace Wood with succession. Marmol, 26, saved seven games and held 30 games last year. Marmol’s K/9 rate was superb (11.75) and a great WHIP rate (0.93).

The Cubs can replace Marmol in the set up role with either Jeff Samardzija or Kevin Gregg. Samardzija impressed the Cubs last season with a 2.28 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 27.2 innings pitched. Gregg was the closer for the Florida Marlins in 2008 and saved 29 games in 33 chances.

But the Cubs still have some questions to answer.

Can the Cubs’ rotation last the whole season? Ace Carlos Zambrano was fatigued toward the end of the 2008 season. Fellow pitcher Rich Harden also has a history of injuries and that may continue.

What about the Chicago offense? Five players hit at least 20 homeruns in 2008 and Jim Edmonds had 19. Will they be able to continue hitting for that much power?

I believe the Cubs can suffice with their rotation. Ryan Dempster pitched excellent at Wrigley Field last year and that can happen again. If the Cubs can rest Zambrano for an extra day once in a while, he can be very effective in 2009.

The Cubs’ offense has no reason to slow down. Alfonso Soriano hit 29 homeruns in only 109 games in 2008 due to injury. If Soriano can stay healthy, he may be in line for a 20/20 or quite possibly a 30/30 season. Though the Cubs lost Mark DeRosa, players like Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez can pick up the pace.

I expect the Cubs to win the NL Central again, but with only 91 wins. Their bullpen still has some question marks with Aaron Heilman and Luis Vizcaino, but Samardzija, Gregg, and Marmol are the three stable pitchers in the ‘pen.
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Tomorrow's article will be predicting the upcoming article for the Chicago White Sox.